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Economic optimism

−11 from 2025

In 2026, 41% were optimistic about Australia’s economic performance over the next five years.

Question Economic optimism

Thinking about Australia’s economic performance in the world. Overall, how optimistic are you about Australia’s economic performance in the world over the next five years?

  1. 0%
  2. 10%
  3. 20%
  4. 30%
  5. 40%
Optimistic
39
39
Very optimistic
2
2

A neutral option was offered to respondents in 2005 and 2007.

Total
All groups

2026 observation

Six in ten Australians (59%) say they are pessimistic about Australia’s economic performance over the next five years, a 12-point increase from the 2025 Poll and a 22-point increase since the 2022 Poll. This is the highest recorded result on this question in the history of the Lowy Institute Poll — 11 points above the rate of economic pessimism registered during the Covid pandemic in 2020, and 46 points above that recorded after the Global Financial Crisis in 2009.

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